Pages

Saturday, 2 January 2016

Uche Iwuji Opens Up on Her Crashed Marriage, "I Pray My Husband Accept Me Back Because He is the Best Gift I have Ever Gotten"

Popular Nollywood star, Uche Iwuji, marriage started like a dream and she climbed onto the rooftops to tell the world what a terrific time she was having – then the bubble bust. Soon after she disappeared from the scene, not to be heard from. Many reasons surfaced on the Internet for the breakup but no one has been able to get it straight from the horse’s mouth, Uche or her husband, Juwon Lawal, until her chat with Vanguard.

You have not been in public scenes for a while, what happened?

This is simply because my life has changed. I got married, separated, and has a child. I am re branding myself and that is why I have left the public scene. That doesn’t really mean I have left showbiz but only took some time out for my family. I am fully back but not as the former Uche Iwuji, I am a new Uche Iwuji.

What ‘s the difference between old and new Uche Iwuji?

I have always been involved in one scandal or the other. That will change because Uche is now a mother who wants the best for her son.

What are those things you really want to change?

I used to go out a lot, I was always every where.

So, you mean that has always landed you in trouble?

No, it does not put me in any form of trouble. It only made people know who I was. Then, I was single so it is allowed. I am now a mother, things must change.

Your experience as a single mother?

It is not easy; I must confess. I have to be there for my son who will be three this year. I have my businesses that has been footing our bills. I hang out with single mothers like myself. I thank God that every one is showing me love. However, a man settles your bill when you are married but that has changed because I fend for myself and my child. Nobody is asking for my account now (laughs).

Is it true that men take advantage of single mothers?

No, I don’t think it is true because that has not happened to me.

What has been married and single taught you?

I have learnt to be strong for myself. Separating from my husband was not a good thing at all. Though, an eye opener. As far as I am concerned, being single again is fun. I am free to do whatever I like. I have been able to get over the break up when I look at my son. He is a bundle of joy.

What type of scripts would you consider now?

Acting means a lot to me. I prefer roles of a mother, madam and the rest. This is because of my shape and size. I used to be the slim type but now I am a kind of bigger and more matured.

Do you think sex sells?

I don’t believe in that. You don’t have to do sex before your film sells. There are lots of other things that can sell a film apart from sex.

What do you think you do better these days?

(smiles) Motherhood.

How did you meet your husband?

No way. I don’t want to talk about that.

What went wrong in your marriage?

The marriage failed because we didn’t understand each other well.

Your courtship was for three months, do you think that could be another factor?

Not really, I still respect and love my ex husband till date. In fact, I still pray for him.

Does that mean you will accept him if he comes back?

Yes, I will a million times. He is the best gift I have ever gotten.

Who do you have to blame for your break up; The media, choice of career or your family members?

I blame it on the society. People were always saying rubbish about me. However, I advise intending celebrity couples to understand each other well and shun third party.

Do you think your marriage affected your career?

Yes, in a positive way. People now see me as a matured woman. Some still address me as a Mrs. It only boosted my career.

Why do celebrity marriages fail because it seems to be a trend?

Not only celebrity marriages fail, it happens everywhere. It is somehow natural because people don’t really wish us well. They just say the marriage will soon crash and it will. This is because many people have made the prophecy.

Do you think this will affect your child?

I thank God for my child. Sometimes, when I even talk about his father, he just says “mummy don’ t talk about him”. They communicate on phone. He also calls me because I have a child with him.

Is it true you are unlucky with men as purported online?

Yes , I’ m not that lucky with men but I think I was lucky at a point. To have been married to my ex husband means luck was smiling at me. We only didn’t understand each other well.

Do you have any plan to remarry?

No way. I will marry my ex husband a million times again. No other man is good for me. I believe he will come back when he is ready.

How do you intend to manage sex in his absence?

I am sex starved for now but I don’t really long for it. I have been without sex for a while now.

How do you perceive the industry after 15 years?

Nollywood has come to stay. Our films enjoy a huge audience at the cinemas. I know that in the next 10 years Nollywood must have become a very big industry and I am proud to be part of it. I will even be producing my own movies new year which will likely go to the cinemas.

Apart from producing, should we expect other things next year?

Nothing really, I want to be cool. I don’t want to be seen everywhere.

What was your background like?

I was born and grew up in the church. I started acting and singing in the church. The church was my training ground. My dad was a lawyer (he died two years ago) with two wives. My mum is the second wife and I am the first of my mum’s children. I was born in Surulere,Lagos, so I understand Yoruba well. Growing up for me was wonderful, I went to one of the best schools, attended parties a lot etc. I had a swell time as a child.

Have you ever recorded a song?

No, I am not a musician or done any musical production. In fact, I have stopped singing in the church for a long time. You should understand how we operate.

Many celebrities these days now have tattoo?

Yes, I also have it but it’s not just too obvious.

Sweet and bitter moments of your career?

When I started it was bitter. Then, I wasn’t getting the roles I wanted. But things got better. I now get befitting roles and that is sweet. I don’t hope to have more scandals in the future.

How do you rate a successful film: is it the money you get,the award or what?

It is the award and its impact on the people.

What do you dislike about being in the limelight?

Our lives is not ours anymore,it is not private. You even have to smile even when things are not fine, but I think I am coping well.